Level 7 - Safety Health Environment Apprentice Review

I’m a Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) apprentice working in a pharmaceutical R&D laboratory environment at AstraZeneca in Cambridge. My role is to support colleagues and leaders to manage risk, stay compliant, and keep the workplace safe and operational. I provide practical SHE advice, monitor safety performance by reviewing reports/data to drive continuous improvement.
On a day-to-day basis, this typically involves:
- Providing SHE support to labs and offices by answering queries, advising on safe systems of work, and helping teams apply controls in a way that’s practical.
- Risk assessment governance by reviewing risk assessments for quality and suitability, following up on actions, and chasing overdue reviews/approvals to keep documentation current.
- Inspections and assurance by completing walkabouts in the lab areas with Lab Managers/Scientists, working through a checklist questionnaire, identifying issues early, agreeing actions with responsibile person, and tracking completion.
- Incident support and learning by supporting events and observations reporting, helping with investigations and root cause, and ensuring lessons learned are communicated and embedded.
- Training and induction materials by reviewing and reissuing lab inductions and safety guidance handbook, coordinating stakeholder input, and supporting rollout/communications.
- Stakeholder engagement and governance by preparing content for SHE meetings, presenting key updates, capturing actions, and working with a range of stakeholders and departments (from lab users to senior leaders).
Overall, my day is a mix of time in the lab environment (visibility, assurance, problem-solving) and desk-based work (governance, documentation, data, meetings, and follow-ups) — with a strong focus on being proactive, pragmatic, and consistent.

Overall, the programme has a strong foundation, but the structure can feel inconsistent in practice.
The content is relevant to the role, and the learning outcomes generally support real workplace application.
When timelines and expectations are clear, it feels well planned and gives a good framework for progressing.
The combination of academic learning and practical work supports meaningful skill development.
At times, the programme feels reactive rather than planned — priorities can shift quickly and this disrupts study time and momentum.
There can be limited clarity on deadlines, deliverables, or assessment requirements until late in the process, which adds pressure.
The balance between operational workload and programme demands isn’t always managed consistently, which can lead to peaks of workload and difficultly in multi-tasking.
Despite the gaps, I’d say the programme is beneficial and worthwhile — it just needs more consistent planning, earlier guidance, and better coordination to reduce avoidable pressure and make progress smoother.

I receive good support overall from my employer, particularly in terms of recognising the programme as a priority and allowing me to progress with the core requirements.
That said, support can be mixed when it comes to wider opportunities to develop my Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs). While I’m supported to deliver day-to-day operational tasks, I don’t always get consistent access to the broader stretch opportunities that would help me build depth and evidence across the full KSB range (for example, leading larger projects end-to-end, gaining exposure to certain specialist areas, or having protected time to capture evidence and reflect).
So in summary strong support for the programme in principle and priority, but less consistent support in creating structured opportunities to enhance and demonstrate the full KSBs.

Overall, I receive an acceptable level of support from my training provider.
The online learning platform is useful, with resources that support learning and help evidence off-the-job (OTJ) activity.
The materials generally provide a workable foundation to progress and keep momentum.
Some feedback can feel high-level, so it doesn’t always translate into clear next steps for improving submissions or strengthening evidence.
I’d benefit from more consistent engagement, clearer direction, and faster, more detailed feedback when working towards the qualification.

It helps to an extent, but it’s not always directly aligned to my day-to-day role.
Because the training provider supports learners from many different industries, a lot of the content is broad and transferable rather than tailored to a pharmaceutical R&D lab environment. That means I do gain useful underpinning knowledge and structure, but I often have to translate and adapt it to fit the specific risks, systems and expectations in my workplace.
Where it helps most is in supporting the qualification requirements, particularly building evidence and preparing towards the End-Point Assessment (EPA) — it gives a framework for demonstrating competence.
Overall: useful for the qualification/EPA and general competence, but only moderately linked to the specific realities of my role.

Yes

Yes, I would recommend AstraZeneca to a friend.
Strong development culture there are good opportunities to learn, gain responsibility, and build transferable skills.
Meaningful work the work feels purposeful and you can see how your role contributes to bigger outcomes.
Supportive environment - people are very collaborative, and there are strong networks (including apprenticeships and professional groups).
Great wider experience - there’s a good social scene, facilities (like the gym), and lots of ways to get involved beyond the day job.
Pay is above industry standard for apprentices.
Apprenticeship is the best way forward - you get the Education (for free), Experience (for CV), Money (you get paid for it and when you finish your apprenticeship there are no student debts).